The National Genomics Research Initiative –
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Tuajuanda Jordan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Senior Program Officer and Director
Science Education Alliance
ASMCUE
Endicott College
May 30 – June 1, 2008
The Science Education Alliance
Mission: To be a national resource for science
education by
Developing and providing new materials and methods to
the education community
Assembling and supporting educator networks engaged in
common activities
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
The Ultimate Goal
Improve the production and quality of 21st-century
scientists
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
The National Genomics Research
Initiative is…
 A national community of undergraduates and faculty
working on a given genomics-oriented task under the
guidance of a lead scientist
 An authentic research experience targeting freshmen /
sophomores in an introductory science course
 An inquiry-based experience designed to expose students to
the process of doing science
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
National Genomics Research Initiative Goals
Empower students and faculty
 Process of doing science
 Tools
 Real data worthy of dissemination
Foster local and national collaborations
 Between students
 Between students and faculty members
 Between faculty members
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
The National Genomics Research
Initiative
Is the Phage Genomics Research Initiative (PGRI)
Why bacteriophage?
 Plentifula
 Highly diverse
 Easily isolated directly from the environment
 Relatively simple and small genomes
 Well established techniques to
Isolate, propagate, purify, and visualize the phage
Isolate, purify, clone, and characterize the DNA
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
a
Hatfull GF, et al 2006
The PGRI - Why underclassmen?
Freshmen / Sophomores
Early engagement
in mentored
research
Encounter research results in
upper-level (converted)
coursework
Increased #s pursuing advanced degrees and
careers in biomedical science
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
Increased production &
quality of biomedical
scientists
The PGRI – How does it work?
- Lead scientist poses the question of the year.
Part I: in situ Collect
soil
Isolate, characterize,
& purify phage
EM
Isolate &
Preliminary DNA
purify DNA characterization
Send phage to
sequencing
center
Aug/Sept
Early Nov.
Part II: transition Phage
Whole genome sequencing
DNA
Nov.
Draft
assemblies
to students
Jan.
Raw
sequences
Genome finishing
Jan.
Mar.
Part III: in silico
Genome
sequences
Genome annotation
Jan.
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
Finished
sequences
to students
GenBank
submission?
Apr./May
The PGRI – Other Course Elements
In situ
 Defending view point using scientific data
 Formal report in manuscript format (individual results)
 Local oral / poster presentation
In silico
 Formal report in manuscript format (collaborative results)
 Oral presentation at the SEA National Symposium (one student per site)
Throughout
 Question / problem of the week
 Networked group meetings with
collaborators across the country
lead scientist or other researcher (on occasion)
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
The PGRI Expectations/Benefits:
Short-term (Local students)
 Increased exposure of lower-division students to the
practical aspects of science
 Enhanced critical-thinking, problem-solving, and
communication skills
 Increased involvement in mentored undergraduate
research experiences
 Increased scientific literacy
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
The PGRI Expectations/Benefits:
Long-term (Nationally)
Improved percentage of students pursuing graduate and
professional degrees in the sciences
Increased production of individuals pursuing research
careers
Enhanced public understanding of the scientific process
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
The PGRI Expectations/Benefits:
Faculty
Development and dissemination of new and improved
pedagogical methods
Local and national collegial support
Potential increased parity in time spent between teaching and
research
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
Institutional Benefits
Resource allocation parity
Increase number of students engaged in research without
concomitant and significant increase in human and physical
resources
Changing the campus research culture
HHMI resource support during pilot phase and beyond
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
How do we get faculty & institutions to
want to do this?
HHMI provides
 Faculty training
 Resource guide with protocols, troubleshooting guides, decision trees,
curriculum support materials
 Kits containing all biologicals, reagents, and supplies
 Equipment not normally available
 Sequencing services
 Bioinformatics tools
 Communications system to facilitate data exchange and discussions
 Curriculum development assistance
 Course support for up to three cycles
 Free travel and accommodations to attend symposia and workshops
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
NGRI Faculty Commitment
Attend all training workshops and conferences
Implement the course
Run the course for at least two cycles
Assist SEA in evaluating the course and ancillary
activities & resources
Ensure integrity of submitted data
Help track students
Disseminate results via acceptable mechanisms
recognized by the scientific and education communities
Make developed resources accessible and freely available
to the general public via the HHMI SEA website
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
NGRI Institutional Commitment
Salary + fringe benefits of the participating faculty
Teaching laboratory space
Basic supplies and equipment found in a standard
introductory biology laboratory course
IT support
Assist with tracking participating students, identifying
suitable comparison groups, and assessing course impact
Agree to institutionalize the course after three continuous
cycles of HHMI support
Agree that developed resources will be made accessible
and freely available to the public
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
NGRI Requirements of All Alliance
Members
Willing to assist others
Willing to be assisted by others
Share all developed resources
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
Twelve Institutions Selected
Oregon State University
Hope
College
Carnegie
Mellon
University
James Madison University
University of California, Santa Cruz
Washington
University at St. Louis
Spelman
College
University of California, San
Diego
University of
Louisiana at Monroe
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
University of
Mary
Washington
University of
Maryland,
Baltimore County
College of
William
and Mary
The National Genomics Research
Initiative – How to get involved
 Online electronic application
 Must apply as a team
 Must implement course in Fall 2009
 Application deadline is October 1
 Decision notification is December 5
 Peer-review process
 12 institutions will be selected each year: 6 primarily
undergraduate institutions; 6 R01s
 HHMI affiliation unnecessary
 Lack of resources is non-issue
 Key elements
 Vision
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
 Commitment
To get more information:
 General questions about the SEA, NGRI; or to get the
application
www.hhmi.org/sea
 Specific questions about the SEA or the NGRI
natexp@hhmi.org
Reference
Hatfull GF, Pedulla ML, Jacobs-Sera D, Cichon PM, Foley A, et
al. (2006) Exploring the Mycobacteriophage Metaproteome:
Phage Genomics as an Educational Platform. PLoS Genetics
2(6): e92 doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.0020092
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
SEA Q & A
Do I have to be associated with HHMI to be part of the
SEA?
 No. You and your institution must have an interest in and commitment
to advancing/improving science education
What are the requirements for NGRI participation?
 4-year accredited institution with a sufficient number of science
majors
Are all of the SEA-sponsored initiatives focused on
undergraduate science education?
 Initially, yes. However, the eventual goal is to span the education
spectrum from K through the post graduate level.
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
SEA Q & A
Will there be other types of initiatives supported by the SEA?
Yes, workshops/mini courses, sabbaticals, symposia
Does the SEA provide education-focused grants?
No, science education-focused grants are handled by the other units of the
Grants division and are institutional grants.
SEA provides the resources required for the development, implementation,
and/or dissemination of science education-focused activities
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
The Ultimate SEA Dream
Positive impact on
 Student engagement, retention, and career choice
 Faculty development
 Institutional culture
 Scientific literacy of the general public
SEA-developed initiatives, in collaboration with others, will be
transformative and positively impact education
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May 30 - June 1, 2008
Learn Something New
May 30 - June 1, 2008